#Review: REBEL RISING by Beth Revis

REBEL RISING

Author: Beth Revis
Series: Star Wars Canon
Source: Audiobook via Audible
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary:
When Jyn Erso was five years old, her mother was murdered and her father taken from her to serve the Empire. But despite the loss of her parents she is not completely alone—Saw Gerrera, a man willing to go to any extremes necessary in order to resist Imperial tyranny, takes her in as his own, and gives her not only a home but all the abilities and resources she needs to become a rebel herself.

Jyn dedicates herself to the cause—and the man. But fighting alongside Saw and his people brings with it danger and the question of just how far Jyn is willing to go as one of Saw’s soldiers. When she faces an unthinkable betrayal that shatters her world, Jyn will have to pull the pieces of herself back together and figure out what she truly believes in…and who she can really trust.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

If you read my status updates on Goodreads, you'll know that I was not a huge fan of Rogue One and thought that this would help me get more into that story and the character of Jyn. However, that wasn't really the case. As well, I wouldn't really classify this as a YA novel because even though Jyn is a teen during the novel, it never really feels like she is a teen and the novel ends with her in her 20s. I divorced this story from the canon and found myself enjoying it more as just a space opera rather than recognizing it as part of the Star Wars mythology.

I did like Jyn and I felt Revis did a good job of explaining her actions, feelings, and motivations. I felt like Jyn was a kindred heart to me and could really empathize with her situation and the choices she made. Although I would say that I would have liked for Jyn to take more responsibility for her actions and try to get out of situations in different ways. It never felt like she was trying that hard to change her place. 

I liked the production of the audiobook since they had background noises and a lot of extra stuff added to it which made it feel more like a Star Wars novel than just any other novel. The narrator, Rebecca Soler, did a good job of making each character that Jyn interacted with sound different, unique, and like a real person based just on their own voice. I definitely gave this one an extra star based on the audiobook production alone. It can definitely make or break a book for me.

I think Revis is a great writer and I've enjoyed her other novels, I just was not a huge fan of Rogue One and this didn't help make the case for me to rewatch it and enjoy it more. I feel as though I am missing out on something great since everyone else seems to love it but I just can't get there for some reason. However, the world building was pretty good and I felt like I could see each spaceship, planet, and group of people because they were so adequately described. This is a great space opera novel and it has dark undertones which I always enjoy.

I would break this one down for you like this: if you liked Jyn and Rogue One, you will like this book. If you didn't, don't bother. If you like space operas, you will probably like this one as well. It is a good novel and has a lot to offer, it just wasn't the book for me.